Downtown Jackson was a temporary home to thousands of crustaceans Saturday during the second annual Crawfest.

Crawfest is the largest fundraiser for the Scarlet Rope Project, a local nonprofit that supports survivors of sex trafficking. This year the group brought in 2,500 pounds of crawfish, which swam around in a tank the size of a small swimming pool at the West Tennessee Farmers Market complex.

"We love the community because they have supported us so well," Scarlet Rope Project Executive Director Julanne Stone said.

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Liz Nichols, JoAnna Wilson and Caitlin Roach volunteer at the Second Annual Crawfest fundraiser for the Scarlet Rope Project at the West Tennessee Farmer's Market in Jackson on May 4, 2019. Gail Bailey

Andren Meehan and Jessica Meehan dig into their baskets of crawfish at the Second Annual Crawfest fundraiser for the Scarlet Rope Project at the West Tennessee Farmer's Market in Jackson on May 4, 2019. Gail Bailey

Children observe and play with a small pool of crawfish at the Second Annual Crawfest fundraiser for the Scarlet Rope Project at the West Tennessee Farmer's Market in Jackson on May 4, 2019. Gail Bailey

Milly Smith, Taylor May Smith, Sarah Smith and baby Stella Smith pose with a crawfish at the Second Annual Crawfest fundraiser for the Scarlet Rope Project at the West Tennessee Farmer's Market in Jackson on May 4, 2019. Gail Bailey

Ben, Kaitlyn, Eddie and Laurie pose under a canopy, avoiding the rain at the Second Annual Crawfest fundraiser for the Scarlet Rope Project at the West Tennessee Farmer's Market in Jackson on May 4, 2019. Gail Bailey

Sam Rickin was part of one of ten teams that boiled crawfish at the Second Annual Crawfest fundraiser for the Scarlet Rope Project at the West Tennessee Farmer's Market in Jackson on May 4, 2019. Gail Bailey

Ingredients like crawfish boil seasoning, corn, potatoes and even pineapple lined a table at the Second Annual Crawfest fundraiser for the Scarlet Rope Project at the West Tennessee Farmer's Market in Jackson on May 4, 2019. Gail Bailey

Jim Moss and Jimmy Moss pose at their crawfish boiling station at the Second Annual Crawfest fundraiser for the Scarlet Rope Project at the West Tennessee Farmer's Market in Jackson on May 4, 2019. Gail Bailey

Crawfish boil chefs prepare to add more butter to a simmering boil at the Second Annual Crawfest fundraiser for the Scarlet Rope Project at the West Tennessee Farmer's Market in Jackson on May 4, 2019. Gail Bailey

Jerry Corley, owner of Hub City Brewing and Rock'n'Dough, lent his crawfish cooking talents at the Second Annual Crawfest fundraiser for the Scarlet Rope Project at the West Tennessee Farmer's Market in Jackson on May 4, 2019. Gail Bailey

Children of all ages peered over the side of a vat filled with 2,500 pounds of crawfish at the second annual Crawfest fundraiser for the Scarlet Rope Project at the West Tennessee Farmers Market in Jackson on May 4, 2019. Gail Bailey

Eric and David, members of a crawfish cookteam, add some celery to their crawfish boil at the Second Annual Crawfest fundraiser for the Scarlet Rope Project at the West Tennessee Farmer's Market in Jackson on May 4, 2019. Gail Bailey

Scarlet Rope Project Director Julanne Stone and Mart Pufahl welcome people into the main seating area of the Second Annual Crawfest fundraiser for the Scarlet Rope Project at the West Tennessee Farmer's Market in Jackson on May 4, 2019. Gail Bailey

David Vince and Kemo Jackson sit down with their platters of crawfish at the Second Annual Crawfest fundraiser for the Scarlet Rope Project at the West Tennessee Farmer's Market in Jackson on May 4, 2019. Gail Bailey

Shenise Cannasta, John Dodd, Heather G. and Jason Maitland display their boxes of crawfish at the Second Annual Crawfest fundraiser for the Scarlet Rope Project at the West Tennessee Farmer's Market in Jackson on May 4, 2019. Gail Bailey

Community members ate 2,500 pounds of crawfish at the Second Annual Crawfest fundraiser for the Scarlet Rope Project at the West Tennessee Farmer's Market in Jackson on May 4, 2019. GAIL BAILEY/The Jackson Sun

Community members ate 2,500 pounds of crawfish at the Second Annual Crawfest fundraiser for the Scarlet Rope Project at the West Tennessee Farmer's Market in Jackson on May 4, 2019. GAIL BAILEY/The Jackson Sun

Community members ate 2,500 pounds of crawfish at the Second Annual Crawfest fundraiser for the Scarlet Rope Project at the West Tennessee Farmer's Market in Jackson on May 4, 2019. GAIL BAILEY/The Jackson Sun

Community members ate 2,500 pounds of crawfish at the Second Annual Crawfest fundraiser for the Scarlet Rope Project at the West Tennessee Farmer's Market in Jackson on May 4, 2019. GAIL BAILEY/The Jackson Sun

Community members ate 2,500 pounds of crawfish at the Second Annual Crawfest fundraiser for the Scarlet Rope Project at the West Tennessee Farmer's Market in Jackson on May 4, 2019. GAIL BAILEY/The Jackson Sun

Community members ate 2,500 pounds of crawfish at the Second Annual Crawfest fundraiser for the Scarlet Rope Project at the West Tennessee Farmer's Market in Jackson on May 4, 2019. GAIL BAILEY/The Jackson Sun

Community members ate 2,500 pounds of crawfish at the Second Annual Crawfest fundraiser for the Scarlet Rope Project at the West Tennessee Farmer's Market in Jackson on May 4, 2019. GAIL BAILEY/The Jackson Sun

Community members ate 2,500 pounds of crawfish at the Second Annual Crawfest fundraiser for the Scarlet Rope Project at the West Tennessee Farmer's Market in Jackson on May 4, 2019. GAIL BAILEY/The Jackson Sun

Community members ate 2,500 pounds of crawfish at the Second Annual Crawfest fundraiser for the Scarlet Rope Project at the West Tennessee Farmer's Market in Jackson on May 4, 2019. GAIL BAILEY/The Jackson Sun

Community members ate 2,500 pounds of crawfish at the Second Annual Crawfest fundraiser for the Scarlet Rope Project at the West Tennessee Farmer's Market in Jackson on May 4, 2019. GAIL BAILEY/The Jackson Sun

Community members ate 2,500 pounds of crawfish at the Second Annual Crawfest fundraiser for the Scarlet Rope Project at the West Tennessee Farmer's Market in Jackson on May 4, 2019. GAIL BAILEY/The Jackson Sun

Community members ate 2,500 pounds of crawfish at the Second Annual Crawfest fundraiser for the Scarlet Rope Project at the West Tennessee Farmer's Market in Jackson on May 4, 2019. GAIL BAILEY/The Jackson Sun

Last year the fundraiser brought in around $14,000. The nonprofit is hoping to double that this year with the help of the community, title sponsor Town and Country Realtors and Lou Siai, who brought in the crawfish from Louisiana.

Despite rainy weather, patrons young and old came out to support the cause and crack into pallets of crawfish prepared by one of 10 local cooking teams. No chef's crawfish boil technique was quite like the others, and ingredients ranged from classic potatoes and corn to jalapenos and pineapples.

"The rain, it doesn't even matter," Jerry Corley, one of the crawfish chefs, said. "We're all out here in ugly boots, and we're just having fun and hanging out."

Country music blared over a loud speaker as cooks stirred steaming vats of clawed critters and attendees hunched over red-and-white checked tablecloths, orange juice running down their fingers.

Robert Frazier attended in honor of his daughter, who is now thriving in another state.

"Thirty-five years ago, a project that's similar to this saved her life," Frazier said, his voice choked with emotion. "So I do what I can."

The fact that he gets to eat "great crawfish" while giving back doesn't hurt either, he added.

Children of all ages peered over the side of a vat filled with 2,500 pounds of crawfish at the second annual Crawfest fundraiser for the Scarlet Rope Project at the West Tennessee Farmers Market in Jackson on May 4, 2019.(Photo: Gail Bailey)

Children knelt around a kiddie pool, observing a few mudbugs with wide eyes and looking for the "fiestiest" of the lot. One child balanced her bright-yellow rain boots on the spout of the large crawfish pool, making her just tall enough to peer over the side.

Attendee Jim Pierce said he has been to hundreds of crawfish boils over the years. What makes a good one?

"Good people, good crawfish, good music and good beverages," Pierce said. "So far, so good."

Reach Cassandra Stephenson at ckstephens@jacksonsun.com or at (731) 694-7261. Follow her on Twitter at @CStephenson731.